Bonfire blast in Vineland called a 'freak accident'

12:27 AM,
Nov. 27, 2009

Written by

DEBORAH M. MARKO
Gannett New Jersey

The bonfire explosion at Vineland High School's pep rally Wednesday is being labeled a "freak accident," according to investigators.

The blast that ejected a flaming pile of pallets into the sky was likely caused by damp weather conditions that "compacted" vapors from fuel applied to ignite the bonfire, according to Vineland Police Sgt. Tim McLaughlin.

Seconds after the pallets were lit, there was a explosion similar to "spontaneous combustion," said McLaughlin, explaining the orange mushroom cloud of fire and debris and the deafening boom felt miles away. ...